COLUMBIA MARYLAND AREA – The SACC Foundation partnered with The Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship, The Howard County Tech Council, the Howard County Community College Center for Entrepreneurship and the local Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulations Veterans Employment Representative to provide Project Opportunity to veterans in the Columbia Maryland area. The Orientation Sessions were conducted on March 14 and 28, 2013 with a total of sixteen veterans in attendance. Fourteen of the veterans at the Orientation Session indicated a desire to move forward to the next screening process, the telephonic assessment. . After the completion of the telephonic screening assessments a total of 11 veterans were accepted into the program. Here is a summary of their business ventures:

Consultant in Biomedical Field

IT Consulting Company (3 veterans are partnering in this venture)

Sports Bar

Disability physical provider

English language translation services

Limited veterinary practice

General contracting business

Retail nook in fabrics and crafts

Transportation service

Classes started on April 18, 2013 at the Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship. The Howard County Tech Council and the Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship worked with us on this project by coordinating the scheduling of subject matter experts and guest speakers.

The Graduation Ceremony was held on June 27th at the Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship. A total of eight (8) veterans completed the course and graduated from this initial class in the Columbia Maryland area. Jason Hardebeck, a US Naval Academy Graduate and Exectuive Director of the Greater Baltimore Technology Council, was the guest speaker.